CEBU, Philippines - Fewer vessels will be joining this year’s fluvial procession early morning on January 16, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
Anelito Gabisan, Public Information Officer of the Coast Guard District Central Eastern Visayas, said only 50 vessels met yesterday’s deadline for registration or about half of the number of vessels that joined in last year’s procession.
Last year, 130 sea crafts joined the flotilla.
“Siguro because of the security measures that we have imposed or because of the economy na gamay na lang ang ni-apil,” Gabisan said.
Gabisan emphasized that there are still boat owners who are yet to furnish lacking documents on Friday projecting a total of 80 sea vessels who will eventually join the fluvial procession.
The fluvial procession is undertaken to honor the Child Jesus and to commemorate the arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in Cebu in 1521.
Gabisan urged boat owners and operators who failed to register their vessels not to sneak in during the procession on Saturday to prevent chaos. He said the Coast Guard would not hesitate to file cases against those who insist in joining the procession without permit.
“They will be controlled and we have measures… they will not only face criminal law but also the Maritime law,” Gabisan said.
During the fluvial processions in the past, several unregistered vessels allowed passengers to send off firecrackers and drink liquor on board, activities that are strictly prohibited to maintain safety and the solemnity of the procession.
Gabisan said stricter measures will be implemented this year. He, however, refused to divulge details so as not to preempt “those who will try to break the rule of law.”
Participating vessels are required to have life vests on board while firecrackers and overloading of vessels are strictly prohibited.
The Coast Guard will meet with volunteers and personnel of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, Philippine National Police and Philippine Navy today to discuss how to augment security during the procession.
The fluvial procession will begin at the Ouano wharf in Mandaue City and will traverse the Mactan channel towards Pier 1 in Cebu City. Four Philippine Navy patrol boats will help secure the entire stretch of the procession.
From the Ouano wharf, participating vessels and sea crafts will make the first turn at the Muelle Osmeña pier at the side of the General Milling compound in Lapu-Lapu City before going under the old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge towards Cebu City.
Gabisan said the Cebu Channel (North and South) will be closed to all incoming and outgoing vessels or sea crafts at 5:30 am on January 16 and will be re-opened by 10 am.
A reenactment of the Baptism of the Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon will follow at the Basilica del Sto. Niño, which will be succeeded by a solemn foot procession by 2pm.
Grand Parade
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Michael Rama yesterday reminded government agencies in charge of air transportation and private individuals who own aircrafts to ensure safety of flight should they decide to hover above the city during the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday.
There were suggestions to ban the flying of helicopters above the carousel route to avoid accidents in the event the aircraft suffers technical difficulty, but Rama said no prohibition will take place. He, however, urged aircraft owners and concerned authorities to implement strict security and safety measures.
For the past years, several private groups allow the public to ride on helicopters, which would allow them to view the Sinulog festivities from the sky for a certain fee, but others said this practice is risky.
“Maayo nga likayan na lang g’yod ang pagpalupad ug helicopter ug bisan unsa nga aircraft sa ibabaw sa carousel route kay makahatag kini ug peligro ug kakuyaw sa mga tawo,” a caller of a radio program said.
Garbage
On the other hand, Councilor Edgardo Labella is calling on managers of various business establishments near the areas of celebration to refrain from dumping their garbage outside their establishments before the garbage trucks arrive on Saturday and Sunday.
Labella said that aside from being an eyesore and a health hazard, garbage scattered on the sidewalks may end up in the drainage system and cause clogging.
“It would really help make Cebu City more presentable and look livable during the Sinulog celebration if the concerned government agency tasked to collect garbage will be aided by the said private business entities by way of not dumping their garbage in the streets and sidewalks,” Labella said.
Department of Public Services chief Dionesio Gualiza assured his men will do their best to quickly clean the city of garbage immediately after the Sinulog activities.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña said earlier garbage collectors and street cleaners, including the volunteers, will receive a sack of rice as incentives for working after the Sinulog. — Marjun A. Baguio and Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)